PENINSULA LEAGUE
By Toe Punt
FRANKSTON YCW flexed its muscles on Saturday and once again highlighted that it is the measuring stick in Peninsula League, thrashing Edithvale-Aspendale.
Heading to the home of the reigning premier has become a frightful experience for most clubs in the past couple of seasons, however it held no fears for the Stonecats on Saturday.
YCW led at every change, extended their lead throughout and finished with a ten goal to three hammering in the last 30 minutes, winning 22.20-152 to 9.11-65.
The Eagles can thank their lucky stars that the visitors struggled for accuracy in front of goal. With 42 scoring shots to 20, the margin should have been closer to 100 points.
The game was marred by injury with the Eagles hit worst.
Mark Mullins appeared to break his hand, forward recruit Jarrod Garth pinged a hamstring, Beau and Tom Turner both appeared to injure themselves and ‘man-mountain’ ruckman Markham Johnston looked as though he tweaked an ankle.
It was a shame for the Eagles, who appeared to have their best side for the year with Tim Mannix and Tim Mavric both included.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Stonecats either with Anthony Totaro appearing to rupture his ACL. He broke his arm last year.
Ben Tellis was unbelievable for the winners on Saturday with six goals. Kevin Lylak had the ball on a string and Lachy Wallace was freed from Collingwood VFL duties once again and finished with three goals.
Steve Mannix and Craig Wray were the best of the Eagles, while Brad Tagg also worked hard.
Frankston YCW coach Scott Mathers said it was good day at the office on Saturday.
“Other than the injuries, it was a terrific day for us,” said Scott.
“We had our best side in for the year and we headed to Edithvale quietly confident that we could do well.
“They lost a few players early and then again in the third quarter, which really helped us to dominate the last quarter like we did.”
Mathers said Totaro was a big loss to the team.
“Anthony was playing a key defensive role for us and was getting better each week. On Saturday we gave him the job on Garth,” he said.
“This allowed us to use Carroll (Dale) up forward, which we have been wanting to do for some time.
“It’s a shame to see him go down. He hasn’t had a lot of luck with injury.”
Langwarrin goes into the first break of the season with a five-one win-loss record after controlling the match for four quarters against Seaford.
Other than the Tigers kicking the last two goals of the third quarter and the first major in the last term, Langwarrin was in command for the remainder of the match, winning 14.18-102 to 12.9-81.
Kangas coach Gavin Artico said while “it was great to come away with the four points”, he still believed his side was far from its best.
“To be honest, I still don’t believe the message is getting through to them. In saying that, we are six weeks into the season, we’ve lost on one game by less than a kick against last season’s grand finalists and we are yet to put our best team on the paddock,” said Artico.
“I do expect a lot from the teams that I coach. We have plans for the opposition for a reason but sometimes we just aren’t playing to instruction.
“I am seeing improvements in the team every week and there is no doubt a lot of individual improvement is going on.
“As we get closer to getting our best team on the park, hopefully we start playing some of our best footy for longer periods.”
On Saturday, Liam Hogan continued his great form after crossing from Dromana, while Dan Wehner and Andrew Withers are playing fantastic footy. Kieran Albanese kicked his first goal in senior football and Jake Smith was in for his first game of the season and finished with two majors.
For the Tigers, Tommy Shaw booted four goals and Aaron Walton was among the best.
Mornington is well placed at the bye having thrashed Chelsea by almost ten goals, 18.14-122 to 9.13-67.
Jackson Calder was at his best with five goals for the winners while Anthony Simpson continued to dominate the 2014 season.
Toddy Gardiner booted three for the Gulls and was of his team’s best, along with Ben Finemore, Zac Graham and Jayden Attard.
Rob D’Orazio and Dave Willet starred in Mt Eliza’s 44-point win against Karingal.
In Michael Burke’s club record game for the most games played, the young Bulls did everything they could to try and win for the league legend.
The Bulls trailed by just 18 points at three quarter time before eventually going down 13.21-99 to 7.13-55.
Bonbeach got the job done against Pines, winning 20.18-138 to 7.8-50.
Liam Hulett booted five goals and Justin Norton four for the winners while Dylan Jones and Mark Tyrell combined beautifully around the ground.
Matt Goodman, Harley Parker and Stephen Taylor were the best of the Pythons.